These Superfoods Are Nuts!

By Leslie Barrie
May 13, 2013
James Worrell
You already know about the heart-healthy power of nuts. But these snacks offer loads of other health benefits.
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Cashews

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 18 nuts

Calories: 163

Not a spinach fan? You can get nearly 10% of your daily value of iron in a single serving of cashews. Compared with other nuts, they’re also a good source of folate and vitamin K, which helps keep bones strong and blood clotting normally.

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Walnuts

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 14 halves

Calories: 185

Hearty walnuts fit the typical nut profile—they’re a good source of protein, fiber, and magnesium. What makes them standouts? They have a high level of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acid.

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Almonds

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 23 nuts

Calories: 163

A favorite snack of dietitians, almonds do much more than just help lower cholesterol. They pack more fiber and calcium than any other nut on our list, are lower-cal than most other varieties, and are an excellent source of vitamin E.

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Macadamia nuts

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 10 to 12 nuts

Calories: 204

While they contain the most fat of any nut here, they also have the highest percentage of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. They’re also a good source of thiamine, which helps your nervous system function.

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Pistachios

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 49 nuts

Calories: 162

These green gems have fewer calories per nut than many other varieties, but that’s not the only perk: They’re rich in lutein, an antioxidant that’s also found in leafy greens and is important for healthy vision and skin. Plus, one serving gives you almost as much potassium as a small banana.

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Brazil nuts

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 6 nuts

Calories: 186

This oft-overlooked variety is the poster nut for selenium, a mineral crucial for thyroid health. One nut contains more than a day’s worth, so you get a big health boost for around 30 calories. (There is such a thing as too much selenium, so make these a rare treat.)

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Pecans

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 19 halves

Calories: 196

This southern specialty is rich in beta-sitosterol, a type of plant sterol found to lower cholesterol as well as contribute to prostate health—so encourage the men in your life to eat up!

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Pine nuts

Credit: James Worrell

Serving Size: 167 nuts

Calories: 191

Pine nuts are loaded with manganese, a trace mineral that helps you maintain proper blood sugar levels and metabolize carbohydrates and protein. Bonus: Research suggests that the nut’s fatty acids may boost satiety hormones, which can help you feel full.

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By Leslie Barrie